Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was silent all season when it came to discussing quarterback Cam Newton.

Mullen’s school, after all, stood in the middle of allegations that may still have repercussions for the former Auburn quarterback and his BCS National Championship winning Tigers.

Newton’s father, Cecil, allegedly attempted to market his son’s services to Mississippi State for $180,000 through former MSU player Kenny Rogers. The NCAA cleared Cam Newton of wrongdoing but continues to investigate.

"I don't regret how we handled his recruiting situation at all," Mullen told the Jackson Clarion Ledger in his first extensive comments on the situation. "How the situation kind of stained almost everybody, I don't like that, because I care about Cam a lot. I'm proud of him and I'm happy for all of the things he's accomplished."

Newton was under Mullen at Florida in the 2008 season. Newton left in 2009 to play for Blinn Community College. Many assumed Newton would reconnect with Mullen at MSU. Instead, he signed with Auburn.

"I'm sure our paths will cross," Mullen told the paper. "Like I said, if Cam called me today and said, 'Coach, I need a favor,' in a heartbeat I'd do whatever I could to help him as a former player. I've always thought we were very, very close. In my opinion, nothing has changed in my feelings toward him. I don't feel any different today."

Mullen, speaking to the Clarion Ledger, added that the solicitation for Cam Newton's commitment to MSU was the first time he has dealt with such an issue as a coach.

"You hope you're never faced with that stuff in those situations, but I guess I have experience with it now," he said.